Car-coupling



(No Model.)

L. E. FORD & A. J. WHITWORTH.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 466,015. Patented De0.29,1891.

j nzreniom J l ain'gy STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON E. FORD AND ALBERT J. WI-IITWORTH, OF MOOOMB, MISSISSIPPI.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,015, dated December 29, 1891.

Application filed March 22, 1890. Renewed April 11, 1891. fierial No. 388,564. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LEoN ESTELLE FORD and ALBERT J AMES WHITWQRTH, citizens of the United States, residing at McOomb, in the county of Pike and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Car-Coupler; and We do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in car-couplers; and it consists in means whereby a lever placed within a draw-head is made to operate in conjunction with a couplinglink by a sliding bar or link adjuster and a lever-arm secured to a transverse rocking-bar, which enables the link-adj uster to be raised or-lowered from the side or top of the car, the present invention being an improvement upon the device for which Letters Patent No. 421,920 were issued to us under date of February 25, 1890.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 isa side elevation of a portion of two cars carrying ourimprovementsin acoupled position. Fig. 2 is a front elevationof a portion of a carbody and the transverse rocking bar in position thereon. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the front portion of a car, showing our improvements complete in position thereon. Fig. 4: is a detail view of the pivoted link-engaginglever and the chain for connecting it to the link-adjusting rod. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the drawbar, showing its accompanying mechanism in position, and Fig. 6 is a detail front elevation'of the link-adjusting rod or bar.

In constructing our invention the ordinary draw-bar may be utilized, as but slightmodifications are necessary to adapt it to the several parts which go to make up our invention.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A indicates a draw-head and bar, which may be attached to the car-body in any approved manner. This draw-head Ais provided in its top with an elongated opening, which receives an angular link-securing lever F, which is pivoted at the forward portion of said opening and swings therein. This lever F is of a form and is so placed within the draw-head that when the end of link H'is pressed against its lower end it will swing inwardly and upward until the end of link has passed, when it willresume its former position and secure the link within the drawhead.

It is obvious that in some forms of drawplay. The draw-head is also provided at a point in its top to the rear of the opening for the lever F with a vertical opening for the reception and play of a link-adjusting rod D. This link-adjusting rod D, which is preferably fiat, as shown, is provided at its top with a forwardly-extending angle portion, and it is also provided at a point in its vertical portion slightly below its top with a vertical opening for the reception of the forwardly-extending arm 0 of the rocking bar, presently to be described.

E indicates a chain connection attached to the upper end of the lever F and to the forward end of the angular portion of the linkadjuster D, whereby when the latter has been raised by the arm 0 of rocking bar the lever F will also be raised and the link H released; but it will be seen by reference to the drawings that the downward movement of the link-adjuster D is not affected by the connecting-chain. 4

13 indicates a rockingv bar, which is placed transversely upon the front wall of the car at a point adjacent to the draw-head and secured loosely to said wall by means of metal straps or other suitable devices. This rocking bar, which is designed to operate the linkadjuster, and in turn the pivoted lever F, is provided at its ends with angular handle portions, whereby the devices may be operated from the sides of the car, and at its middle it has rigidly secured to it a forwardly-extending arm 0, the forward end of which enters the opening in the rod D.

L indicates avertical rod which is attached to the arm 0 and. extends to the top of the car through suitable guides, whereby the coupler may be operated by a person standing upon the top of car.

i In operation, by swinging the angle portions of the rocking lever away from the end of car,

the link-adjusting bar or rod D is moved downwardly upon the end of link, the opposite end of which is thus elevated at an angle to enter the draw-head of the other car to be coupled, where it impinges against the lever F, and is secured thereby, as has been described. W'hen it is desired to uncouple the cars, the bar Bis swung toward the end of car, whereby the rod D and the lever F, through the medium of the connecting-chain E, are raised and the link is released.

Having described our invention, what we claim is v 1. I11 a car-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head having an angular link-securing lever pivoted therein, of the link-adjuster arranged in an opening in said draw-head and a rope or chain connecting the angular lever and link-adjuster, substantially as specified. 2. In a car-coupler, the combination of the draw-head, the swinging lever pivoted therein, the link-adjuster adapted to move in an opening in said draw-head, a rope or chain connecting the swinging lever with the linkadjuster, and the transverse rock-bar secured to the car and provided with the forwardlyextending arm engaging the link-adjuster, all adapted to operate substantially as specified. 3. 111 a ear-coupler, the combination, with the draw-head, the swinging lever pivoted therein, and the link-adjuster, of the transversely-arranged operating-lever journaled to the end of a car and provided with a forwardly-extending arm G, adapted to engage the link-adjuster, all adapted to operate substantially as specified.

4. In a car-coupler, substantially as described, the combination, with the draw-head, of the link-securing lever pivotally secured in the forward portion thereof, the link-adjuster, and a chain for connecting the anguler lever and thelink-adjuster, all adapted to operate substantially as specified.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head having a link-securinglever fulcrumed therein, of the link-adjuster movable in a slot to the rear of the securing-lever and connected therewith by a' chain or rope,-

whereby when the linkadjuster is raised to a certain altitude the securing-lever will be raised, thereby ,i eleasing the link, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we a'ffix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LEON E. FORD. ALBERT J. WHITWORTH.

Witnesses:

HELMUTH I-I OLTZ, PERCY D. PARKS. 

